After a number of week of listening to my friends and family telling me I'm crazy, I finally brought my Fiat 126p back to the UK!
I flew into Poznan on Saturday night and my brother-in-law picked me up. On Sunday morning I was ready to set off. After moving the car out to the garage, the engine had been running for around 30 seconds. I switched it off to check the oil and burnt my hand on the exhaust. Not a good start.
Five minutes after leaving the heavens opened.
By around 11:30 I made my first stop at a rest area close to Berlin.
In the parking area were around 20 Polish guys who had been travelling in a minibus convoy. They all crowd around and start taking photos and asking questions. I tell them I'm driving to England and they all think I'm crazy too.
The temperature outside is now around 35 degrees C. I'm driving at a maximum of 80kph and I've turned on the heater to keep the hot air off the engine, windows down full. All good so far.
I spend a few more hours on the Autobahn waving at everyone who looks and beeps for me. Lots of love for this little car on the continent. At one point a guy is fully leaning out of the passenger window filming me with his phone and waving.
Finally I make it to Bielefeld, half way between Hanover and Dortmund after 9 hours of driving. Ibis Budget 41 Euros.
I'd kept my options open at this point. I wasn't sure if the French could be trusted at Calais. I decided to take the more expensive ferry from Hook of Holland to Harwich. Google traffic also suggest that this would be an easier route.
A quick pit stop somewhere near Gouda / Rotterdam - sounds cheesy. Currently getting around 350km to a full tank.
And I make it to the ferry at around 1pm. Passport control and Stenaline staff all very complimentary.
Arrive in England and the roads are a nightmare. A12 was shut last night, as was the M3, as was the A31. I finally arrive home at 2am waking the neighbours dog. I moved the misses's Yaris in behind over night and the Yaris feels like a monster truck by comparison.
I've taken it to my usual mechanic this morning, he's going to sort an MOT for me next week. I'll keep you posted.